The construction industry has done a good job of focusing on safety and quality. This mindset has been driven down to the smallest of contractors. They know safety and quality not only impact what work they can secure and for which owners and contractors they can work, but it also drives the cost of their insurance program. Prequalifying contractors based on their safety experience and program is the norm.

The prequalification process, however, should not be limited to safety. Financial prequalification should receive adequate attention as well.

Think only health care workers and first responders are in danger of bloodborne pathogen exposure? Custodians, laundry workers, employees performing first aid, those who service medical equipment, law enforcement personnel, among others, can even be exposed to blood and other potentially infectious materials on the job.

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Ron Turpin, Gibson’s Chief Financial Officer and Fort Wayne Market President. We hope you enjoy Ron’s perspective and wisdom.

My family and I recently traveled to Florida for a family vacation. One of our stops was to a nationally known entertainment venue. During our day there I noticed several things that made me question their focus on customer service. Dirty tables in dining venues, staff who did not greet guests as they arrived, lack of line maintenance management, and numerous other little small things. As I added all of these together it made me ask the question, “do they really want and value me as a client?”

In the construction industry, it seems you are either asking someone to sign a contract or being asked to sign a contract daily. With so many contracts, and the complexity involved, it can often be difficult to accurately assess your risk exposures. Yet oversights and mistakes in this process can be extremely costly.

Employee engagement matters. The connection to the bottom line is clear. Yet studies by Gallup continue to report employee engagement levels at less than one-third.

How do you create a positive workplace culture where employees feel valued and engaged? It varies for every company. To shine light on the topic, we consulted a few of our fellow Best Places To Work in Indiana honorees for their advice - what makes your organization a great place to work? What is your lesson to share with other companies?

Reputation risk consistently finds itself among the top concerns for businesses. Especially with the rise of social media, companies are concerned with how quickly and significantly their reputations can be threatened.

What can you do to protect your company’s brand? Make the most of your social media usage by avoiding these 8 mistakes:

Each year, more than 300 deaths and 4,000 injuries in the workplace are caused by electrical hazards. From falls and burns to electric shock and even electrocution - contact with electrical energy is a serious danger to workers.

As Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com, said “Your brand is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room.”

OSHA estimates that 5 million U.S. workers are required to wear respirators. These respirators protect workers from cancer, lung impairment, diseases, or even death caused by insufficient oxygen, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays. Despite the abundant use of respirators, the standard for respiratory protection has been the fourth most frequently cited OSHA standard from 2011 to 2014.

Lockout/tagout (LOTO) is #5 on the list of most frequently cited OSHA standards with 2,704 violations. OSHA estimates that compliance with the standard could prevent 500,000 injuries and 120 fatalities a year. What can your company do to meet this standard and properly protect your workforce from the dangers of hazardous energy during the machine inspection and maintenance process?